There are many reasons an individual may learn American Sign Language (ASL). They may be interested in picking up a new language. They may want to better communicate with a loved one or friend who is hard of hearing or deaf. They may enjoy the deaf culture and hope to integrate into it. They may even be taking it to full a classroom requirement. The reasons why someone learns ASL are vast and cannot be accounted for in this discussion. However, what I plan to discuss within this paper are the vocational opportunities offered to those who are interested in using their ASL skills to work with the deaf or hard of hearing populations.
There are many vocations one can pursue if they hope to work with deaf or hard of hearing people. These jobs include but are not limited to, speech-language pathologist, employment counselor, social workers, sign language interpreters, audiologists, and many more. Typically, when I think of a job involving ASL, I often envision the position of a sign language interpreter. These interpreters are present in a vast number of settings and agencies including school systems, governmental institutions, social services, hospitals, and even in the entertainment industry. One famous example of an interpreter in the entertainment industry is Amber Galloway Gallego. She was able to interpret the lyrics rapped by Twista Clocks, one of the world’s fastest rappers, in real-time. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRl2uLh4Ru0&ab_channel=ABC13Houston).
So, what is an ASL interpreter? According to the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), a qualified interpreter is someone who is able to “both receptively and expressively, interpret accurately, effectively, and impartially, using any necessary specialized vocabulary.” It is imperative that the interpreter is able to seamlessly translate information between the parties involved without delay or confusion. Of all fields, medical facilities, higher education facilities, elementary and high schools were the largest employers of ASL interpreters and as of May 2018, translators and interpreters across all fields earned an average salary of $55,230 following the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. However, depending on an interpreters' level of experience and place of work, the salary will vary.
Prospective interpreters are tested on their expressive and receptive signing, voice to sign skills, and sign to voice skills. Once confident, the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID) has a list of Interpreting Training Programs that one can sign up for depending on what field one wants to pursue. However, one of the most prestigious and valued certifications is the RID certification. In some states, this certification is required in order to provide interpreting services of any kind. Regardless, there are three types of RID certifications – Previously Offered RID Certifications, NAD Certifications, and RID Retired Certifications. Currently, the RID only offers the latter two, but the previously offered RID Certifications are still recognized. Within the NAD Certification, there are three levels of NAD III (Generalist), NAD IV (Advanced), and NAD V (Master). Each certification corresponds to a different level of fluency and translational ability with III being average performance and V being superior performance. Holders of these certifications must also comply with all aspects of the RID’s Certification Maintenance Program which includes the completion of professional development courses.
https://www.nad.org/resources/american-sign-language/interpreting-american-sign-language/
https://thebestschools.org/careers/jobs-working-deaf-hard-hearing/
https://rid.org/rid-certification-overview/
https://rid.org/about-rid/about-interpreting/become-an-interpreter/
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